However, his comments were as predicted, weight problem, prescribed co-codamol, and is organising an Xray on both knees and left hip. He said there is signs of arthritis in both knees but none in hip so it could be referred pain.
My prescription medication is Kapake
Kapake (co-codamol)
Main use Active ingredient Manufacturer Severe pain Paracetamol 500mg, codeine phosphate 30mg (co-codamol) Galen How does it work?
Kapake tablets and capsules contain two active ingredients, paracetamol and codeine phosphate. This combination of medicines is often referred to as co-codamol. (NB. Co-codamol is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)
Paracetamol is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Despite its widespread use for over 100 years, we still don't fully understand how paracetamol works to relieve pain. However, it is now thought that it works by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.
The body produces prostaglandins in response to injury and certain diseases. One of the effects of prostaglandins is to sensitise nerve endings, causing pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less.
Codeine is a stronger painkiller known as an opioid. Opioid painkillers work by mimicking the action of naturally occurring pain-reducing chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are found in the brain and spinal cord and reduce pain by combining with opioid receptors.
Codeine mimicks the action of natural endorphins by combining with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This blocks the transmission of pain signals sent by the nerves to the brain. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt.
Kapake tablets and capsules contain 30mg of codeine, which in combination with the paracetamol, is effective at relieving severe pain.
What is it used for?
- Severe pain.
Warning!
- This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.
- Do not take this medicine with any other products that contain paracetamol. Many over-the-counter painkillers and cold and flu remedies contain paracetamol. It is important to check the ingredients of any medicines you buy without a prescription before taking them in combination with this medicine. Seek further advice from your pharmacist.
- An overdose of paracetamol is dangerous and capable of causing serious damage to the liver and kidneys. You should never exceed the dose stated in the information leaflet supplied with this medicine. Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose with this medicine, even if you feel well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
- Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage that can occur if an overdose of paracetamol is taken. The hazards of paracetamol overdose are greater in persistant heavy drinkers and in people with alcoholic liver disease.
- If this medicine is taken regularly for long periods of time, the body can become tolerant to it and it may become less effective at relieving pain. With prolonged use, the body may also become dependent on the codeine. As a result, withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and irritability may occur if the medicine is then stopped suddenly. If you find you need to use this medicine all the time you should consult your doctor for advice.
- Consult your doctor if your symptoms persist despite taking this medicine.
- Taking a painkiller for headaches too often or for too long can actually make the headaches worse.
Use with caution in
- Elderly people.
- Weak or debilitated people.
- Decreased kidney function.
- Decreased liver function.
- Asthma.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Epilepsy.
- Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
- Underproduction of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (Addison's disease).
- Low blood pressure (hypotension).
- Narrowing of the urethra, causing difficulty passing urine.
- Enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy).
- People at risk of bowel obstruction, eg due to constipation.
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
- Biliary tract disorders, eg recent surgery on the biliary tract.
- Myasthenia gravis.
Not to be used in
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
- Children under 12 years of age.
- Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression).
- People having an asthma attack.
- Alcohol intoxication (acute alcoholism).
- People with a head injury or raised pressure inside the skull (raised intracranial pressure).
- Paralysis or inactivity in the intestines that prevents material moving through the gut (paralytic ileus).
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Label warnings
- Do not take more than 2 at any one time. Do not take more than 8 in 24 hours.
- Do not take this medication with any other products containing paracetamol.
- This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Constipation.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Lightheadedness.
- Drowsiness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Confusion.
- Mood changes.
- Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).
- Skin rash.
- Dry mouth.
- Slowed heart rate.
- Contraction of the pupils.
An interesting thing was he gave me was a copy of my MRI results from 30th May 2009.
It never mentioned Arthritis but said shows intramensical degeneration but no tear.
Meaning - You have damaged/worn, but not torn, your meniscus
In anatomy, a meniscus (from Greek μηνίσκος meniskos, "crescent"[1]) is a crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure that, in contrast to articular disks, only partly divides a joint cavity.[2] In humans it is present in the knee, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and temporomandibular joints;[3] in other organisms they may be present in other joints (e.g., between the forearm bones of birds). A small meniscus also occurs in the radio-carpal joint.
It usually refers to either of two specific parts of cartilage of the knee: The lateral and medial menisci. Both are cartilaginous tissues that provide structural integrity to the knee when it undergoes tension and torsion. The menisci are also known as 'semi-lunar' cartilages — referring to their half-moon "C" shape — a term which has been largely dropped by the medical profession, but which led to the menisci being called knee 'cartilages' by the lay public.
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